Floral sleeve having a skirt and detachable portion

ABSTRACT

A plant package, comprising a pot containing a floral grouping and a flexible sleeve having detaching elements at preselected areas, the sleeve further comprising a bonding material which connects the sleeve to the pot when the pot is positioned within the sleeve, the sleeve being positioned about the pot and a lower portion of the sleeve closely surrounding and encompassing the pot, an upper portion of the sleeve extending upwardly from the pot and substantially surrounding and encompassing the floral grouping contained within the pot, at least a portion of the sleeve being removable via the detaching elements, leaving a portion of the sleeve which is a decorative plant cover.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a continuation of U.S. Ser. No. 08/799,665,filed Feb. 11, 1997 now abandoned, which is a continuation of U.S. Ser.No. 08/453,719, filed May 30, 1995, entitled FLORAL SLEEVE HAVING ADETACHABLE PORTION, which is a continuation of U.S. Ser. No. 08/220,852,filed Mar. 31, 1994, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,572,851, entitled PLANT PACKAGEHAVING DETACHABLE SLEEVE AND METHODS.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention generally relates to packaging materials, and, moreparticularly, packaging materials used to wrap flower pots containingfloral groupings and/or mediums containing floral groupings, and methodsof using same.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a plant package constructed inaccordance with the present invention, showing a sleeve having bothvertical and circumferential perforations therein, the circumferentialperforations dividing the sleeve into an upper portion and a lowerportion.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a pot having a growing medium therein, afloral grouping being disposed into the growing medium within the pot.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a plant package similar to FIG. 1,showing the sleeve having a bonding material connected to the innersurface of the sleeve, and a pot contained within the sleeve, thebonding material connecting the pot to the inner surface of the sleeve.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a plant package similar to FIG. 1,showing the sleeve having a bonding material connected to the outersurface of a pot, the bonding material connecting the outer surface ofthe pot to the inner surface of the sleeve.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a plant package similar to FIG. 1,showing a sleeve having a bonding material connected to the innersurface and a pot having a bonding material connected to the outersurface, both bonding materials cooperating to connect the outer surfaceof the pot and the inner surface of the sleeve together.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a plant package showing a sleeve havinga detachable extension attached to a portion of the upper end of thesleeve, the extension having apertures therein.

FIG. 7 is a schematic representation of the plant package of FIG. 6,showing both the sleeve and the extension, rods extending through theapertures in the extension.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the plant package of FIG. 1, showing apartial detachment of the vertical perforations in the upper portion ofthe plant package.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the plant package of FIG. 1, showing theupper portion of the sleeve being detached from the lower portion viaboth the vertical perforations in the upper portion and thecircumferential perforations.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the plant package of FIG. 1, showingthe upper portion of the sleeve detached, the remaining lower portionforming a decorative plant cover.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a modified plant package similar to theplant package shown in FIG. 1, showing a scalloped design formed by thecircumferential perforations.

FIG. 11A is a perspective view of a plant package having a sleeve likethe sleeve of FIG. 11, except also having a support extension.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a the plant package of FIG. 11, showingthe upper portion of the sleeve removed, and showing the remaining lowerportion forming a decorative plant cover.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a modified plant package, showing asleeve having a circumferential overlapping fold and a closed bottom.

FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view of the plant package of FIG. 13,showing the circumferential overlapping fold and the bonding materialconnecting at least a portion of the circumferential overlapping foldtogether.

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of the plant package of FIG. 13, showingthe upper portion of the sleeve being detached from the lower portionvia both the vertical perforations in the upper portion andcircumferential perforations.

FIG. 16 is a perspective view of the plant package of FIG. 13, showingthe upper portion of the sleeve detached, and showing the remaininglower portion of the sleeve with a skirt attached to the opening, theskirt angle extending downward and outward.

FIG. 17 is a perspective view of the plant package of FIG. 16, showingthe skirt angle extending upwardly and outwardly.

FIG. 18 is a perspective view of a modified plant package similar to theplant package of FIGS. 11 and 12, showing a scalloped design along thecircumferential perforations, and showing a ribbon having a bow, theribbon extending around the sleeve.

FIG. 19 is a perspective view of the plant package of FIG. 18, showingthe upper portion of the sleeve being removed.

FIG. 20 is a perspective view of the plant package of FIG. 18, showingthe remaining lower portion forming a decorative plant cover with ascalloped edge.

FIG. 21 is a perspective view of the plant package of FIG. 20, showingthe decorative plant cover crimped by the ribbon which extendsthereabout.

FIG. 22 is a perspective view of a modified plant package similar to theplant package shown in FIG. 1, having the vertical perforationsextending through both the upper portion and the lower portion of thesleeve, and having two parallel circumferential perforations which forma ribbon appearance thereabout with a bow, and further having a seconddecorative plant cover enclosed within the sleeve.

FIG. 23 is a perspective view of the plant package of FIG. 22, showingboth the upper portion and the lower portion of the sleeve beingremoved, the ribbon and bow remaining disposed about the seconddecorative plant cover.

FIG. 24 is a perspective view of the plant package of FIG. 22, showingboth the upper portion and the lower portion of the sleeve removed, theribbon and bow remaining disposed about the second decorative plantcover.

FIG. 25 is a perspective view of the plant package of FIG. 22, showingboth the upper portion and the lower portion of the sleeve removed, theremaining ribbon and bow extending about and crimping the remainingsecond decorative plant cover.

FIG. 26 is a perspective view of a modified plant package similar to theplant package shown in FIG. 22, showing the vertical perforationsextending only through the upper portion and only one circumferentialperforation, the upper portion shown as partially detached from thelower portion.

FIG. 27 is a perspective view of the plant package of FIG. 26, showingthe upper portion removed, the lower portion forming a decorative plantcover having a bow with a ribbon extending thereabout.

FIG. 28 is a perspective view of a modified plant package similar to theplant package shown in FIG. 22, showing a plurality of decorativeperforations defining a plurality of decorative sections in the upperportion, the upper portion having no vertical perforation, only a singlecircumferential perforation, the lower portion having a verticalperforation shown partially detached, and with one of the plurality ofdecorative perforations shown as partially detached as well.

FIG. 29 is a perspective view of the plant package of FIG. 28, showingthe lower portion removed, the upper portion having the plurality ofdecorative sections removed, forming a decoration in the upper portionhaving a ribbon and bow, and, along with the pot, together forming adecorative plant cover.

FIG. 30 is a perspective view of a modified plant package similar to theplant package of FIGS. 22-25, showing a sleeve having only an upperportion and a ribbon and a pull bow having a pull portion attached tothe upper portion of the sleeve.

FIG. 31 is a perspective view of the plant package of FIG. 30, showingthe upper portion of the sleeve being removed, the pull portion of thepull bow acting to cause loops to be formed in the bow section.

FIG. 32 is a perspective view of the plant package of FIG. 30, showingboth the upper portion of the sleeve removed, the ribbon remainingdisposed about the second decorative plant cover, the pull portiondetached and the pull bow formed into a plurality of loops.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The Embodiments and Methods ofUse of FIGS. 1-10

Shown in FIG. 1 and designated therein by the general reference numeral10 is a plant package. The plant package 10 comprises a sleeve 12 whichis generally tubular in shape. The sleeve 12 has a first end 14, asecond end 16, an outer periphery 18 forming an outer surface 20, and anopening 22, intersecting both the first end 14 and the second end 16,forming an inner surface 24 and is defined by an inner periphery 26 andproviding a retaining space 27 therein. In some embodiments (shown inFIGS. 13-18, and discussed in detail below), the second end 16 isclosed, forming a closed base, and the opening 22 only intersects thefirst end 14 of the plant package 10. Equipment and devices for formingsleeves are commercially available, and well known in the art.

The plant package 10 may also contain a pot 30 (FIG. 2). The pot has anupper rim 32, a lower end 34, and an outer peripheral surface 38. Anopening 40 intersects the upper rim 32, forming an inner surface 42 andis defined by an inner periphery 44. The lower end 34 of the pot 30 isclosed, therefore a pot retaining space 45 is formed and is defined bythe inner surface 42 and closed lower end 34. The term “pot” refers toany type of container used for holding a floral grouping or a pottedplant. Examples of pots used in accordance with the present inventioninclude, but not by way of limitation, clay pots, wooden pots, plasticpots, and the like. The pot 30 is adapted to receive a floral grouping46 in the pot retaining space 45.

The plant package 10 also comprises the floral grouping 46 (FIG. 2). Thefloral grouping 46 may be disposed in the opening 40 in the pot 30, inthe pot retaining space 45 along with a suitable growing medium 47,which will be described in further detail below, or other retainingmedium, such as but not by way of limitation, a floral foam. It willalso be understood that the floral grouping 46, and any appropriategrowing medium 47 or other retaining medium, may be disposed in theplant package 10 without the pot 30. The term “floral grouping” as usedherein means cut fresh flowers, artificial flowers, a single flower orother fresh and/or artificial plants or other floral materials and mayinclude other secondary plants and/or ornamentation or artificial ornatural materials which add to the aesthetics of the overall floralgrouping 46. The floral grouping 46 comprises a bloom or foliage portion48 and a stem portion 50. Further, the floral grouping 46 may comprise agrowing potted plant having a root portion (not shown) as well. However,it will be appreciated that the floral grouping 46 may consist of only asingle bloom or only foliage, or a botanical item (not shown), or apropagule (not shown). The term “floral grouping” may be usedinterchangeably herein with both the terms “floral arrangement” and“potted plant”. The term “floral grouping” may also be usedinterchangeably herein with the terms “botanical item” and/or“propagule.”

The term “growing medium” when used herein means any liquid, solid orgaseous material used for plant growth or for the cultivation ofpropagules, including organic and inorganic materials such as soil,humus, perlite, vermiculite, sand, water, and including the nutrients,fertilizers or hormones or combinations thereof required by the plantsor propagules for growth.

The term “botanical item” when used herein means a natural or artificialherbaceous or woody plant, taken singly or in combination. The term“botanical item” also means any portion or portions of natural orartificial herbaceous or woody plants including stems, leaves, flowers,blossoms, buds, blooms, cones, or roots, taken singly or in combination,or in groupings of such portions such as bouquet or floral grouping.

The term “propagule” when used herein means any structure capable ofbeing propagated or acting as an agent of reproduction including seeds,shoots, stems, runners, tubers, plants, leaves, roots or spores.

A bonding material 54 (FIGS. 3-5) may be disposed on at least a portionof the inner surface 24 of the sleeve 12, as shown in FIG. 3, or,alternatively, the bonding material 54 may be disposed on the outersurface 38 of the pot 30 contained within the sleeve 12, as illustratedin FIG. 4, while the sleeve 12 may be free of the bonding material 54.In a further alternative, the bonding material 54 may be disposed bothon at least a portion of the pot 30 as well as upon at least a portionof the inner surface 24 of the sleeve 12, as shown in FIG. 5. Inaddition, a portion of the bonding material 54 may also be disposed onthe outer surface 20 of the sleeve 12 as well (not shown). It will beunderstood that the bonding material 54 may be disposed in a solidsection of bonding material 54, as shown in FIG. 3, for example. Thebonding material 54 may also be disposed upon either the outer surface20 or the inner surface 24 of the sleeve 12, as well as upon the pot 30.Further, the bonding material 54 may be disposed in strips of bondingmaterial 54, spots of bonding material 54, or in any other geometric,non-geometric, asymmetric, or fanciful form, and in any patternincluding covering either the entire surface of the sleeve 12 and/or thepot 30. The bonding material 54 is disposed on the sleeve 12 and/or pot30 by any means known in the art.

The sleeve 12 is generally tubularly shaped, but the sleeve 12 may be,by way of example but not by way of limitation, cylindrical,frusto-conical, or a combination of both frusto-conical and cylindrical(not shown). Further, as long as a generally tubular shape is maintainedin at least a portion of the sleeve 12, any shape, whether geometric,non-geometric, asymmetrical and/or fanciful may be utilized. The sleeve12 may also be equipped with drains or ventilation holes (not shown), orcan be made from permeable or impermeable materials.

The sleeve 12 has a thickness in a range from about 0.1 mil to about 30mils. Often, the thickness of the sleeve 12 is in a range from about 0.5mil to about 10 mils. Preferably, the sleeve 12 has a thickness in arange from about 0.1 mil to about 5 mils. The sleeve 12 is constructedof a material 56 (FIG. 1) which is flexible.

The sleeve 12 may be constructed of a single layer of material 56 or aplurality of layers of the same or different types of materials 56. Anythickness of the material 56 may be utilized in accordance with thepresent invention as long as the material 56 is wrappable about anobject, such as the floral grouping 46 or pot 30, as described herein.The layers of material 56 comprising the sleeve 12 may be connectedtogether or laminated or may be separate layers. Materials 56 used toconstruct the sleeve 12 are described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,111,637entitled “Method For Wrapping A Floral Grouping” issued to Weder et al.,on May 12, 1992, which is hereby incorporated herein by reference.

As noted earlier, the bonding material 54 may be disposed on at least aportion of at least one surface of the sleeve 12. The bonding material54 may be applied as a strip or as spots or other shapes, as describedabove. One method for disposing the bonding material 54, in this case anadhesive, is described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,111,637 entitled “Method ForWrapping A Floral Grouping” issued to Weder et al., on May 12, 1992,which has been incorporated by reference above.

The term “bonding material” when used herein means an adhesive,frequently a pressure sensitive adhesive, or a cohesive. Where thebonding material is a cohesive, a similar cohesive material must beplaced on the adjacent surface for bondingly contacting and bondinglyengaging with the cohesive material. The term “bonding material” alsoincludes materials which are heat sealable and, in this instance, theadjacent portions of the material must be brought into contact and thenheat must be applied to effect the seal. The term “bonding material”also includes materials which are sonic sealable and vibratory sealable.The term “bonding material” when used herein also means a heat sealinglacquer or hot melt material which may be applied to the material and,in this instance, heat, sound waves, or vibrations, also must be appliedto effect the sealing.

The term “bonding material” when used herein also means any type ofmaterial or thing which can be used to effect the bonding or connectingof the two adjacent portions of the material or sheet of material toeffect the connection or bonding described herein. The term “bondingmaterial” also includes ties, labels, bands, ribbons, strings, tapes(including single or double-sided adhesive tapes), staples orcombinations thereof. Some of the bonding materials would secure theends of the material while other bonding material may bind thecircumference of a wrapper, or a sleeve, or, alternatively and/or inaddition, the bonding materials would secure overlapping folds in thematerial and/or sleeve. Another way to secure the wrapping and/or sleeveis to heat seal the ends of the material to another portion of thematerial. One way to do this is to contact the ends with an iron ofsufficient heat to heat seal the material.

Alternatively, a cold seal using a cold seal adhesive is utilized uponthe material to form a sleeve. The term “bonding material” includes thiscold seal adhesive. The cold seal adhesive adheres only to a similarsubstrate, acting similarly as a cohesive, and binds only to itself. Thecold seal adhesive, since it adheres (or coheres) only to a similarsubstrate, does not cause a residue to build up on equipment, therebypermitting much more rapid disposition and use to form articles. A coldseal adhesive differs also from, for example, a pressure sensitiveadhesive, in that a cold seal adhesive is not readily releasable.

The term “bonding material” when used herein also means any heat orchemically shrinkable material, and static electrical or otherelectrical means, chemical welding means, magnetic means, mechanical orbarb-type fastening means or clamps, curl-type characteristics of thefilm or materials incorporated in material which can cause the materialto take on certain shapes, cling films, slots, grooves, shrinkablematerials and bands, curl materials, springs, and any type of weldingmethod which may weld portions of the material to itself or to the pot,or to both the material itself and the pot.

The sleeve 12 may be constructed of a single layer of material 56 or aplurality of layers of the same or different types of materials 56. Anythickness of layer of material 56 may be utilized in accordance with thepresent invention as long as the material 56 may be formed into at leasta portion of the sleeve 12, as described herein, and as long as theformed sleeve 12 may contain at least a portion of the pot 30 or thefloral grouping 46, as described herein. Additionally, an insulatingmaterial such as bubble film, preferable as one of two or more layers,can be utilized in order to provide additional protection for the item,such as the floral grouping 46, contained therein.

In one embodiment, the sleeve 12 may be constructed from twopolypropylene films. The layers of material 56 comprising the sleeve 12may be connected together or laminated or may be separate layers. In analternative embodiment, the sleeve 12 may be constructed from only oneof the polypropylene films.

The sleeve 12 may also be constructed, in whole or in part, from a clingmaterial. “Cling Wrap or Material” when used herein means any materialwhich is capable of connecting to the sheet of material and/or itselfupon contacting engagement during the wrapping process and is wrappableabout an item whereby portions of the cling material contactingly engageand connect to other portions of another material, or, alternatively,itself, for generally securing the material 56 wrapped about at least aportion of the pot 30. This connecting engagement is preferablytemporary in that the material 56 may be easily removed, i.e., the clingmaterial “clings” to the pot 30.

The cling material is constructed and treated if necessary, frompolyethylene such as Cling Wrap made by Glad®, First Brands Corporation,Danbury, Conn. The thickness of the cling material will, in part, dependupon the size of sleeve and pot 30 in the plant package 10, i.e.,generally, the larger pot 30 therefore may require a thicker andtherefore stronger cling material. The cling material will range inthickness from less than about 0.1 mil to about 10 mils, and preferablyless than about 0.5 mil to about 2.5 mils and most preferably from lessthan about 0.6 mil to about 2 mils. However, any thickness of clingmaterial may be utilized in accordance with the present invention whichpermits the cling material to function as described herein.

The sleeve 12 is constructed from any suitable material 56 (the material56 shown only in the form of a sleeve 12, but the material 56 having anupper surface, a lower surface, and an outer periphery) that is capableof being wrapped about the pot 30 or the floral grouping 46, and formedinto the plant package 10 as described herein. Preferably, the material56 comprises paper (untreated or treated in any manner), metal foil,polymeric film, non-polymeric film, fabric (woven or nonwoven orsynthetic or natural), cardboard, fiber, cloth, burlap, or laminationsor combinations thereof.

The term “polymeric film” means a man-made polymer such as apolypropylene or a naturally occurring polymer such as cellophane. Apolymeric film is relatively strong and not as subject to tearing(substantially non-tearable), as might be the case with paper or foil.

The material 56 comprising the sleeve 12 may vary in color. Further, thematerial 56 comprising the sleeve 12 may consist of designs ordecorative patterns which are printed, etched, and/or embossed thereonusing inks or other printing materials. An example of an ink which maybe applied to the surface of the material 56 is described in U.S. Pat.No. 5,147,706 entitled “Water Based Ink On Foil And/Or Synthetic OrganicPolymer” issued to Kingman on Sep. 15, 1992 and which is herebyincorporated herein by reference.

In addition, the material 56 may have various colorings, coatings,flocking and/or metallic finishes, or other decorative surfaceornamentation applied separately or simultaneously or may becharacterized totally or partially by pearlescent, translucent,transparent, iridescent or the like, qualities. Each of the above-namedcharacteristics may occur alone or in combination and may be applied tothe upper and/or lower surface of the material 56 comprising the sleeve12. Moreover, each surface of the material 56 used in constructing thesleeve 12 may vary in the combination of such characteristics. Thematerial 56 utilized for the sleeve 12 itself may be opaque,translucent, transparent, or partially clear or tinted transparent.

The sleeve 12 may further comprise an extension 58, as shown in FIGS. 6and 7. The extension 58 has a plurality of perforations 60 in the sleeve12 near the first end 14. The extension 58 has one or more apertures 62(only one aperture designated by the numeral 62) disposed therein. Theapertures 62 permit the sleeve 12, or the complete plant package 10, tobe placed on a rod or a set of rods 64, also known as wickets (only oneof the set of rods referred to herein by the numeral 64), for shipment,storage, assembly of the plant package 10, or other function known inthe art.

The sleeve 12 further has an upper portion 66 and a lower portion 68(FIGS. 1 and 3-9). The sleeve 12 also has detaching elements inpreselected areas. “Detaching element,” as used herein, means anyelement, or combination of elements, or features, such as, but not byway of limitation, perforations, tear strips, zippers, and any otherdevices or elements of this nature known in the art, or any combinationthereof. Therefore, while perforations are shown and described in detailherein, it will be understood that tear strips, zippers, or any other“detaching elements” known in the art, or any combination thereof, couldbe substituted therefor and/or used therewith. A plurality of generallycircumferential perforations 70 (FIGS. 1 and 6-9) are disposedcircumferentially about the sleeve 12 and divide the upper portion 66 ofthe sleeve 12 from the lower portion 68 of the sleeve 12. The upperportion 66 of the sleeve 12 has a plurality of vertical perforations 72(FIGS. 1 and 6-9) which are disposed in a vertical line in the upperportion 66 of the sleeve, generally extending between thecircumferential perforations 70 and the first end 14 of the sleeve 12.The upper portion 66 is separable from the lower portion 68 by tearingthe upper portion 66 along both the vertical perforations 72 and thecircumferential perforations 70, thereby detaching the upper portion 66of the sleeve 12 from the lower portion 68 of the sleeve 12. Theremaining lower portion 68 of the sleeve 12 remains disposed about thepot 30 and/or the floral grouping 46 (that is, the growing medium 47),forming a decorative plant cover 74 (FIG. 10) which substantiallysurrounds and encompasses the pot 30 or the growing medium 47 or otherretaining medium (not shown) in which the floral grouping 46 isdisposed.

It will be understood that the decorative plant cover 74 (FIG. 10), andthe second decorative plant cover described in detail below may compriseall of the characteristics of the pot 30. That is, the decorative plantcover 74 (or the second decorative plant cover) may comprise both thedecorative characteristics of a decorative plant cover, as well as thestructural characteristics (not shown), namely, the decorative plantcover 74 (and the second decorative plant cover, described in detailbelow) has an upper rim 32′, a lower end 34′, and an outer periphery 36′forming an outer peripheral surface 38′. An opening 40′ intersects theupper rim 32′, forming the inner surface 42′ and is defined by an innerperiphery 44′. The lower end 34′ of the decorative plant cover 74 issometimes formed closed, therefore a retaining space 45′ is formed andis defined by the inner surface 42′ and the lower end 34′.

In a general method of use (FIGS. 1-2 and 8-10), an operator provides asleeve 12, and a pot 30 having the floral grouping 46 disposed in thegrowing medium 47 contained within the pot 30. The operator thendisposes the pot 30 having the floral grouping 46 therein into thesleeve 12 by opening the sleeve 12 at the first end 14 and assuring boththat the opening 22 therein is in an open condition, and that the innerperiphery 26 of the sleeve 12 is somewhat expanded outward as well, asshown in FIGS. 1 and 8-10. The operator then disposes the pot 30 havingthe floral grouping 46 therein into the opening 22 in the sleeve 12 (notshown), the pot 30 being disposed generally through the upper portion 66of the sleeve 12 into generally the lower portion 68 of the sleeve 12,the pot 30 remaining in the lower portion 68 of the sleeve 12,permitting the sleeve 12 to substantially surround and tightly encompassthe pot 30. It will be understood that alternatively, the sleeve 12 withthe extension 58, as shown schematically in FIGS. 6-7, may be utilized,the sleeve 12 being disposed on rods, or wickets, 64 (only onerod/wicket being designated 64), and the pot 30 then being disposed inthe sleeve 12 either before or after the rods 64 are disposed throughthe extension 58 of the sleeve 12.

Alternatively, the pot 30 could be placed on a support device such as apedestal (not shown) and the sleeve 12, disposed underneath or astridethe pot 30, could be pulled toward and over the pot 30 so as tosubstantially surround the pot 30 or at least a portion of the outersurface 38 of the pot 30. The bonding material 54 disposed on the pot30, the sleeve 12, or both could then serve to connect the sleeve 12 tothe pot 30.

The floral grouping 46 extends from the growing medium 47 in the potretaining space 45 (FIG. 2) into the upper portion 66 of the sleeve 12(FIG. 8), the material 56 having sufficient flexibility but alsosufficient rigidity to both remain in and sustain its generally tubularor frusto-conical shape, thereby substantially surrounding andencompassing the floral grouping 46, particularly the stem portion 50and the bloom portion 48 of the floral grouping 46. When the pot 30 isdisposed adjacent the inner surface 24 of the sleeve 12, in the lowerportion 68 of the sleeve 12, the bonding material 54 disposed on theinner surface 24 of the sleeve 12 and/or the outer surface 38 of the pot30 connects the sleeve 12 and the pot 30 together, thereby securelybonding the sleeve 12 to the pot 30, and/or the pot 30 to the sleeve 12,depending upon the disposition of the bonding material 54, as shown inFIGS. 3-5 and described in detail previously.

To remove the upper portion 66 of the sleeve 12, for example, but not byway of limitation, the operator generally grasps the sleeve 12 near thevertical perforations 72 and pulls one side of the upper portion 66 ofthe sleeve 12 away from the line of vertical perforations 72 anddownward, thereby causing the sleeve 12 to tear away along the verticalperforations 72, as shown in FIGS. 8-9. When the sleeve 12 has separatedalong the vertical perforations 72 to the circumferential perforations70, the operator then pulls the upper portion 66 of the sleeve 12circumferentially about the pot 30, as illustrated in FIG. 9, therebycausing the upper portion 66 of the sleeve 12 to tear or separate alongthe line of circumferential perforations 70. The upper portion 66 of thesleeve 12 is then discarded, leaving the lower portion 68 of the sleeve12 which forms the decorative plant cover 74 disposed about the pot 30,and which is at least partially bondingly connected to the pot 30 (FIG.10). The lower portion 68 of the sleeve 12 which remains about the pot30 may be equipped with a reservoir (not shown) to contain water,nutrients, preservatives, and/or hormones for nourishing the plantand/or floral grouping 46 after the upper portion 66 of the sleeve 12has been removed.

The Embodiments and Methods of Use of FIGS. 11-12

FIGS. 11-12 illustrate another embodiment and method of use of thepresent invention. The plant package 10 a illustrated in this embodimentand used in this method is constructed similar to the plant package 10shown in FIGS. 1-10, and described in detail previously, except that thesleeve 12 a is constructed so that the circumferential perforations 70 aform a decorative design, namely, a scalloped design, as shown in FIGS.11-12.

When the upper portion 66 a of the sleeve 12 a is removed by any methoddescribed herein or known in the art, the remaining lower portion 68 aof the sleeve 12 a forms a decorative plant cover 74 a. It will beappreciated that the circumferential perforations 70 a may form anydecorative design, or combination of decorative designs. It will also beappreciated that additional decorative designs, created by the verticalperforations 72 a and/or the circumferential perforations 70 a, willsuggest themselves when the plant package 10 a is utilized by thosehaving ordinary skill in the art. Dashed line 73 a represents animaginary medial line of the upper portion 66 a.

FIG. 11A illustrates another embodiment. The plant package 10 aaillustrated in this embodiment and used in this method is constructedsubstantially the same as the plant package 10 a shown in FIG. 11.Sleeve 12 aa is constructed so that the circumferential perforations 70aa form a decorative design, namely, a scalloped design. The plantpackage 10 aa comprises a floral grouping 46 aa having a bloom portion48 aa. The sleeve 12 aa has an upper portion 66 aa and a lower portion68 aa. When the upper portion 66 aa is removed a decorative plant coveris formed like cover 74 a of FIG. 12. It will be appreciated that thecircumferential perforations 70 aa may form any decorative design, orcombination of decorative designs. It will also be appreciated thatadditional decorative designs, created by the vertical perforations 72aa and/or the circumferential perforations 70 aa, will suggestthemselves when the plant package 10 aa is utilized by those havingordinary skill in the art. Sleeve 12 aa further comprises an extension58 aa having apertures 62 aa and separable via perforations 60 aa. Theextension 58 aa is used like extension 58 in FIGS. 6 and 7.

The Embodiments and Methods of Use of FIGS. 13-17

FIGS. 13-17 illustrate another embodiment and method of use of thepresent invention. The plant package 10 b illustrated in this embodimentand used in this method is similar to the plant package 10 shown inFIGS. 1-10 and described in detail previously, except that the sleeve 12b is constructed from a sheet of material 76 (FIG. 13). The sleeve 12 bhas a modified second end 16 b which is closed, thereby forming a base28. (Such a sheet of material 76 is disclosed and described in U.S. Pat.No. 5,111,638 entitled “Method For Wrapping A Floral Grouping” issued toWeder et al., on May 12, 1992, which has been previously incorporated byreference herein.) In addition, the sleeve 12 b formed from the sheet ofmaterial 76 has a plurality of overlapping folds 77 (only one of theplurality of overlapping folds designated by the numeral 77), which areformed by the use of a bonding material 54 b (FIG. 14) on the sheet ofmaterial 76 forming the sleeve 12 b, by the use of heat shrinkablematerial known in the art and commercially available, or by any deviceor mechanical means which forms sheet material into such a shape. Suchmechanical means are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,773,182, entitled,“Article Forming System,” U.S. Pat. No. 4,897,031, entitled, “ArticleForming System,” U.S. Pat. No. 5,208,027, entitled “Article FormingSystem,” and U.S. Pat. No. 5,307,606, entitled “Covering for Flower Potand Floral Grouping,” all of which are hereby incorporated by referenceherein.

Alternatively, gussets (not shown) are formed in the sheet of material76 which permit the sheet of material 76 to be folded along the gussetsand formed into the shape of the sleeve 12 b, similar to the embodimentshown in FIGS. 13-17. Methods and means of forming gussets in sheetmaterial, and folding sheet material, are known to those having ordinaryskill in the art.

The sleeve 12 b also differs from the sleeve 12, because the sleeve 12 bhas a circumferential overlapping fold 78 which extendscircumferentially about the sleeve 12 b, as shown in FIGS. 13-15. Inthis embodiment, a bonding material 54 b is disposed generally bothabove and near circumferential perforations 70 b and below and near thecircumferential perforations 70 b. Bonding material 54 b extends aboutthe sleeve 12 b in generally parallel alignment with the circumferentialperforations 70 b. The circumferential overlapping fold 78 is formed inthis area. That is, a portion of the outer surface 20 b of the sleeve 12b extending circumferentially around the sleeve 12 b, near thecircumferential perforations 70 b, is folded under by tucking a portionof the outer surface 20 b of the sleeve 12 b (near the line ofcircumferential perforations 70 b) under, thereby causing a portion ofthe inner surface 24 b of the sleeve 12 b to lie adjacent anotherportion of the inner surface 24 b of the sleeve 12 b or, as shownschematically in FIG. 14, creating a first fold 80. This first fold 80causes a first portion 82 of the outer surface 20 b of the sleeve 12 bhaving bonding material 54 b thereon to overlap and lie adjacent asecond portion 84 of the outer surface 20 b of the sleeve 12 b, thesecond portion 84 of the outer surface 20 b also having a bondingmaterial 54 b thereon. The first portion 82 contacts the second portion84 and the first and second portions 82 and 84, respectively, arebondingly connected, as shown schematically in FIG. 14. (It will beappreciated that the connection between the first portion 82 and thesecond portion 84 will likely be much closer than the connectionschematically shown in FIG. 14). In this manner, the three-layercircumferential overlapping fold 78 is created in the sleeve 12 b. Thecircumferential fold 78 remains in place until the upper portion 66 b ofthe sleeve 12 b is removed as described herein.

In a general method of use, when the upper portion 66 b of the sleeve 12b is removed (FIG. 15) as shown and described in detail previouslyherein, the remaining portion of the circumferential overlapping fold 78forms a skirt 86 which extends about, and outwardly from, an opening 88on the lower portion 68 b, in the resulting decorative plant cover 74 bas shown in FIGS. 16 and 17. The position of the skirt 86 may be alteredby an operator. releasing the bonding material 54 b connecting both thefirst portion 82 and the second portion 84 of the outer surface 20 b ofthe sleeve 12 b from its bonded position. The skirt 86 may be formed soas to turn upwardly, inwardly, horizontally (upward or inward),downwardly, vertically (either upward or downward) or in any combinationthereof, or in any obtuse or arbitrary angle or combination thereof.

An operator simply pulls the first portion 82 away from the secondportion 84. Then, the skirt 86 may be arranged at different angles, suchas the angle shown in FIG. 16, with the skirt 86 extending downwardlyand outwardly, or such as the angle shown in FIG. 17, showing the skirt86 extending upwardly and outwardly. It will be appreciated that avariety of skirt angles may be created, such as, but not by way oflimitation, a horizontally extending skirt 86, or an upwardly andinwardly extending skirt 86.

It will further be understood, by one having ordinary skill in the art,that the circumferential overlapping fold 78 permits the formation ofthe skirt 86 as shown in FIGS. 16 and 17; that is, a skirt 86 which hasa flare, and which is capable of being flared either outwardly, asillustrated, or inwardly (not shown). Further, the circumferentialoverlapping fold 78 protects the skirt 86 from being crushed or damagedbefore the upper portion 66 b of the sleeve 12 b is removed. Then, oncethe upper portion 66 b is removed as described above, the operator mayflare the skirt 86 as desired. It will be further appreciated that thecircumferential overlapping fold 78 may overlap inwardly toward thefloral grouping 46 b, rather than outwardly, as presently shown in FIGS.13-15. Or, in a further alternative, the skirt 86 may be formed withoutany circumferential overlapping fold 78.

The Embodiments and Methods of Use of FIGS. 18-21

FIGS. 18-21 illustrate another embodiment and method of use of thepresent invention. The plant package 10 c illustrated in this embodimentand used in this method is constructed similar to the plant package 10shown in FIGS. 1-10 and described in detail previously, except that asleeve 12 c has printed thereupon both a ribbon 90 pattern and a bow 92pattern, the ribbon 90 pattern extending about an outer periphery 18 cof the sleeve 12 c, in a lower portion 68 c of the sleeve 12 c.Alternatively, an actual bow 92 may be attached to the ribbon 90 via abonding material 54 c (not shown), rather than being printed upon thesleeve 12 c as a bow 92 pattern.

In a method of use, the upper portion 66 c of the sleeve 12 c is removedby any method described herein. The resulting decorative plant cover 74c, as shown in FIG. 20, has the appearance of having a ribbon 90 wrappedabout and encircling the decorative plant cover 74 c (only the lowerportion 68 c of the sleeve 12 c being shown), the ribbon 90 appearing tobe decoratively tied into the bow 92 (or, alternatively, the bow 92being attached to the ribbon 90).

FIG. 21 illustrates another embodiment and method of use of the presentinvention. The sleeve 12 c has an actual ribbon 90 which extendscircumferentially around the outer periphery 18 c of the sleeve 12 c inthe lower portion 68 c of the sleeve 12 c, and the actual bow 92 whichis attached to the ribbon 90 or, alternatively, to the sleeve 12 c (notshown). The ribbon 90 and bow 92 are connected to the sleeve 12 c via abonding material 54 c (not shown). The ribbon 90 and/or bow 92 compriseany material 56 c described herein or known in the art.

In a method of use, the ribbon 90 is connected to the sleeve 12 c viathe bonding material 54 c in a manner which crimps the sleeve 12 csomewhat in and near the ribbon 90. Crimping sheet material is wellknown in the art. For example, the ribbon 90 may comprise a heatshrinkable material (known in the art and commercially available), andthe ribbon 90 may be placed in a condition to crimp the lower portion 68c of the sleeve 12 c by exposing the ribbon 90 (either before or afterthe upper portion 66 c of the sleeve 12 c is removed) to a heat sourcesufficient to cause the ribbon 90 to shrink and thereby crimp the lowerportion 68 c of the sleeve 12 c. Such heat sources are known in the artand commercially available, such as, but not by way of limitation, aheat gun which blows heated air. The upper portion 66 c of the sleeve 12c is removed by any means described herein, leaving the lower portion 68c forming a decorative plant cover 74 c having a ribbon 90 which crimpsthe plant cover 74 c about the pot 30 c or the floral grouping 46 c (orgrowing medium 47 c), the ribbon 90 being tied into the bow 92, or theseparate bow 92 being connected in any manner described herein to theribbon 90 and/or the plant cover 74 c. It will be appreciated that theribbon 90 and/or bow 92 may be connected at any level of a pot 30 c, orabove the pot 30 c, thereby crimping the plant cover 74 c inward in adiameter smaller than the upper diameter of the upper rim 32 c of thepot 30 c, or, alternatively, connecting the ribbon 90 and/or bow 92 atany level of the plant cover 74 c which encompasses the pot 30 c.Alternatively, the ribbon 90 and/or bow 92 is connected to the sleeve 12c without crimping, as shown in FIG. 20 and described previously.

After a pot 30 c has been disposed in the sleeve 12 c, by any methoddescribed herein, a crimped portion 94 is formed by the ribbon 90, thecrimped portion 94 causing adjacent portions of the inner surface 24 cand/or outer surface 20 c of the lower portion 68 c of the sleeve 12 cto come together, the bonding material 54 c on the ribbon 90 and/orsleeve 12 c causing adjacent portions to be bonded together for formingthe crimped portion 94. Crimping may be accomplished by hand or with adevice or a machine as may be desired in a particular application. Thecrimped portion 94 may comprise only adjacent portions of the lowerportion 68 c of the sleeve 12 c, or, alternatively, the crimped portion94 of the lower portion 68 c of the sleeve 12 c may engage a portion ofthe pot 30 c, the pot 30 c having the bonding material 54 c on the outersurface 38 c thereof, the bonding material 54 c on the pot 30 c creatinga crimped portion 94. Alternatively, any combination of the lowerportion 68 c of the sleeve 12 c and/or the outer surface 38 c of the pot30 c and/or the ribbon 90 which extends about the lower portion 68 c ofthe sleeve 12 c may create a crimped portion 94 of the lower portion 68c of the sleeve 12 c, by hand or by any device or mechanical means knownin the art. The crimped portion 94 engages a portion of the pot 30 c forcooperating to maintain the lower portion 68 c of the sleeve 12 cassembled about and/or connected to the pot 30 c.

The crimped portion 94 (FIG. 21) preferably extends circumferentiallyabout the outer surface 38 c of the pot 30 c and/or floral grouping 46 c(that is, primarily, the growing medium 47 c). In some applications, itmay be desirable to form the crimped portion 94 only at certainpositions spaced circumferentially about the lower portion 68 c of thesleeve 12 c. Methods of crimping are also shown in U.S. Pat. No.5,809,629, issued Sep. 22, 1998, entitled “Method and Apparatus ForForming a Decorative Cover”; U.S. Pat. No. 5,361,482, issued Nov. 8,1994, entitled, “Flower Pot Cover With Crimped Portion”; and U.S. Pat.No. 5,428,939, issued Jul. 4, 1995, entitled, “Method For Crimping AWrapper About a Floral Grouping”, all of which are hereby specificallyincorporated by reference herein.

In a further alternative, the sleeve 12 c is constructed with more thanone material 56 c, so that the ribbon 90 portion forms an integral partof the sleeve 12 c, but the ribbon 90 c further comprises a material 56c different from the material 56 c of the remainder of the sleeve 12 c,such as but not by way of limitation, heat shrinkable material, asdescribed previously. Such ribbon 90 may be shrunk to cause a crimpingcondition of a portion of the plant cover 74 c (FIG. 21), as describedabove, or may remain unshrunk, as shown in FIG. 20. It will beappreciated that the sleeve 12 c may also be formed with a closedbottom, as shown and described in detail herein previously.

Further, it will be appreciated that any ribbon 90 shown and/ordescribed herein may comprise a band. The term “band” when used hereinmeans any material which may be secured about an object such as a pot,or a sleeve, such bands commonly being referred to as elastic bands,rubber bands or non-elastic bands and also includes any other type ofmaterial such as an elastic or non-elastic string or elastic piece ofmaterial, non-elastic piece of material, a round piece of material, aflat piece of material, a ribbon, a piece of paper strip, a piece ofplastic strip, a piece of wire, a tie wrap or a twist tie orcombinations thereof, or any other device capable of gathering materialto removably or substantially permanently form a crimped portion andsecure the crimped portion formed in the material which may be securedabout an object such as the pot. The band also may include a bow 92 ifdesired in a particular application.

In another embodiment of the present invention, a sleeve similar to thesleeve 12 c may be free of the ribbon and bow pattern or of the ribbonand bow and thus in appearance may be similar to sleeve 12 indicated inFIG. 1. However, the lower portion of the sleeve which surrounds theouter surface of the pot may be formable into the plant cover having aplurality of overlapping folds formed in a random or predeterminedarrangement and style (not shown). In this embodiment, after the pot hasbeen disposed into the retaining space 27 c of the sleeve 12 c, thelower portion 68 c of the sleeve 12 c is formed manually orautomatically into a plurality of overlapping folds 72 c (not shown) orpleats (not shown) thus giving the lower portion 68 c of the sleeve 12 cthe appearance of a decorative plant cover 74 c formed about the pot 30c. In other words, the lower portion 68 c of the sleeve 12 c is formedinto a cover 74 c with overlapping folds 77 c in a manner similar tothat described above when the sleeve 12 c is crimped about the outersurface 38 c of the pot 30 c. The overlapping portions of the folds 77 cmay be connected by a bonding material 54 c such as an adhesive orcohesive disposed upon the outer surface 20 c of the sleeve 12 c. Or,the overlapping portions of the folds 77 c may be connected with abonding material 54 c, such as an adhesive or cohesive applied to theinner surface 24 c of the sleeve 12 c. Alternatively, the bondingmaterial 54 c may be on the outer surface 38 c of the pot 30 c forcausing portion of the sleeve 12 c to bond to the pot outer surface 38c. Alternatively, the bonding material 54 c may be disposed both on theouter surface 38 c of the pot 30 c and on the inner surface 24 c orouter surface 20 c of the sleeve 12 c. Alternatively, the bondingmaterial 54 c may be disposed on both the inner surface 24 c and outersurface 20 c of the sleeve 12 c but not on the outer surface 38 c of thepot 30 c. Alternatively, the bonding material 54 c may be on both theinner and outer surfaces 24 c and 20 c, respectively, of the sleeve 12 cand on the outer surface 38 c of the pot 30 c.

Another method in which overlapping folds 77 c may be formed in thelower portion 68 c of the sleeve 12 c shown in U.S. Pat. No. 5,291,721,entitled “Cover Forming Apparatus Having Pivoting Forming Members,”issued Mar. 8, 1994.

The lower portion 68 c of the sleeve 12 c may be formed into a portionhaving folds 77 c either before or after the removable upper portion 66c of the sleeve 12 c has been detached from the remaining lower portion68 c (not shown). After the upper portion 66 c of the sleeve 12 c hasbeen removed, the remaining lower portion 68 c of the sleeve 12 c nowconstitutes a decorative plant cover 74 c. The decorative plant cover 74c, as noted, comprises a plurality of overlapping folds 77 c. Thedecorative plant cover 74 c may be removable from the pot 30 c, or maybe firmly connected to the outer surface 38 c of the pot 30 c by abonding material 54 c disposed, as noted above, either on the outersurface 38 c of the pot 30 c or on the inner surface 24 c of the lowerportion of the sleeve 12 c.

It will also be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art that thesleeve may have a portion which forms a skirt 86 c (not shown), suchthat when the removable upper portion 66 c of the sleeve 12 c isdetached, a decorative plant cover 74 c with a skirt 86 c remains.

The Embodiments and Methods of Use of FIGS. 22-29

FIGS. 22-29 illustrate another embodiment and method of use of thepresent invention. A plant package 10 d illustrated in this embodimentand used in this method is constructed similar to the plant package 10 cshown in FIGS. 18-21 and described in detail previously, except that thevertical perforations 72 d in sleeve 12 d extend below thecircumferential perforations 70 d into the lower portion 68 d Anunderlying second decorative plant cover 96 (FIGS. 23-25) (substantiallyidentical to the previously described plant cover 74 or, alternatively,either a flower pot cover known in the art, or, in a furtheralternative, the pot 30 d), is contained within the sleeve 12 d, and thecircumferential perforations 70 d comprise two parallel lines ofcircumferential perforations 70 d (only one line of circumferentialperforations designated by the numeral 70 d). A ribbon 90 d and bow 92 dare utilized in this embodiment and method, and may comprise any ribbon90 d and/or bow 92 d shown and/or described herein, or known in the art.

The sleeve 12 d may be completely removed, except for the ribbon 90 dand bow 92 d section. The ribbon 90 d may extend about the seconddecorative plant cover 96, as shown in FIG. 24, in a non-crimpedcondition. Alternatively, the ribbon 90 d may extend about the secondplant cover 96 in a crimped condition, as shown in FIG. 25, and aspreviously described herein.

Alternatively, the upper portion 66 d of the sleeve 12 d may be removed,by any method described herein, and the lower portion 68 d of the sleeve12 d may remain about at least a portion of the second plant cover 96 asa decorative plant cover 74 d (FIGS. 26-27). In a further alternative, alower portion 68 d of the sleeve 12 d is removed while the upper portion66 d remains in place, forming a skirt 86 d FIG. 29). The upper portion66 d comprises a plurality of decorative sections 97 (only one sectiondesignated 97) defined by a plurality of decorative perforations 97′(only one perforation designated 97′). The decorative perforations 97′are torn away in a method previously described herein and known in theart, leaving the decorative sections 97 in the upper portion 66 d of thesleeve 12 d. In still a further alternative, no second decorative plantcover 96 is utilized, that is, only the pot 30 d with the floralgrouping 46 d therein is used. The upper portion 66 d of the sleeve 12 dis removed via any method described herein, leaving the ribbon 90 dand/or bow 92 d as well as the lower portion 68 d of the sleeve 12 dwhich together with the ribbon 90 d and/or bow 92 d forms a decorativeplant cover 74 d about the pot 30 d (FIGS. 26-27). It will beappreciated that the sleeve 12 d may also be formed with a closed secondend, as shown and described in detail herein previously.

The Embodiments and Methods of Use of FIGS. 30-32

FIGS. 30-32 illustrate another embodiment and method of use of thepresent invention. A plant package 10 e illustrated in this embodimentand used in this method is constructed similar to a plant package 10 dshown in FIGS. 22-29 and described in detail previously, except that asleeve 12 e comprises only an upper portion 66 e and a ribbon 90 e andbow 92 e, the bow 92 e being a pull bow 98 having a pull portion 100attached to the upper portion 66 e of the sleeve 12 e, so that when theupper portion 66 e of the sleeve 12 e is removed, the pull portion 100pulls the pull bow 98 into a plurality of decorative loops (shownschematically using four loops in FIG. 32). The pull portion 100 isdetachable from the pull bow 98 once the pull bow 98 is formed into theplurality of loops. The ribbon 90 e may comprise any ribbon shown and/ordescribed herein.

In a method of use, the upper portion 66 e of the sleeve 12 e isdetached by any method described herein. The pull portion 100 causesribbon within the pull bow 98 to gather into the plurality of decorativeloops, the beginning of this operation being shown in FIG. 31, as theupper portion 66 e of the sleeve 12 e is pulled away. The pull portion100 is detached from the pull bow 98 by any method known by those havingordinary skill in the art, leaving a second decorative plant cover 96 ehaving the ribbon 90 e extending thereabout, and having a multiple looppull bow 98, as illustrated in FIG. 32. It will be appreciated that theribbon 90 e may crimp the second decorative plant cover 96 e, aspreviously described herein. Further, it will be appreciated that theribbon 90 e and/or pull bow 98 may be utilized with any embodiment shownand/or described herein. In such variations, the pull portion 100 of thepull bow 98 may be attached to the upper portion 66 e of the sleeve 12e, the lower portion 68 e of the sleeve 12 e, or may be unattached, sothat an operator may pull the pull section 100 to form the pull bow 98without detaching any portion of the sleeve 12 e, or only the upperportion 66 e, or, in a further alternative, only the lower portion 68 d.

As shown in FIGS. 30-32, the plant package 10 e comprises a pot 30 e(not shown) and the plant cover 96 e which is disposed about the pot 30e. It will be understood by a person of ordinary skill in the art thatthe plant cover 96 e shown in FIGS. 30-32 is only one of a number ofversions of plant covers which may be employed in the inventiondescribed herein. In particular, the plant cover 96 e may be formed froma sheet of material which is formed into a cover about the outer surfaceof the pot 30 e either by hand or automatically, as previously describedherein. The plant cover 96 e may or may not further comprise a skirt.The plant cover 96 e may be a preformed plant cover such as one producedby the method described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,773,182, incorporated byreference above. The plant cover 96 e may have a plurality ofoverlapping folds as indicated in FIGS. 30-32. Alternatively, the bodyof the plant cover 96 e may be substantially free of overlapping foldsand may have the appearance of a sleeve. The bottom of the plant cover96 e may be flattened, gusseted, or simply sealed along an edge.

The plant cover 96 e may have a bonding material 54 e (not shown)disposed upon a portion thereof, including either an inner surface 42 e′or outer surface 38 e′ or both the inner 42 e′ surface and outer surface38 e′ , for attaching either to the pot 30 e, or to the sleeve 12 e, orto both the pot 30 e and the sleeve 12 e. Alternatively, the plant cover96 e may be free of the bonding material 54 e. The sleeve 12 e appliedto the pot 30 e/plant cover 74 e may have a bonding material 54 edisposed either on the inner surface 24 e or the outer surface 20 e, orboth the inner surface 24 e and outer surface 20 e, for bonding to theplant cover 96 e. Alternatively, the sleeve 12 e may be free of abonding material 54 e on any surface thereof. Although the sleeve 12 ein FIGS. 30-32 is shown as having the pull bow 98, it will be understoodby one of ordinary skill in the art that the sleeve 12 e may be free ofthe pull bow 98 and that when a portion of the sleeve 12 e is detached,the portion of the sleeve 12 e that may be left surrounding the plantcover 96 e may simply function to cause the plant cover 96 e to be boundmore firmly about the outer surface 38 e′ of the plant cover 96 e, or itmay provide a decorative function as well as described elsewhere herein.

As noted herein, the sleeve 12 may have perforations in various patternsto facilitate removal of portions or a portion of the sleeve 12 or ofthe entire sleeve 12. The sleeve 12 may have other means as describedelsewhere herein for facilitating the removal of a portion or portionsof the sleeve 12, or of the entire sleeve 12.

In a final embodiment (not shown), the plant package 10 may comprise apot 30 having a floral grouping 46 and a sleeve 12, the sleeve 12comprising only the lower portion 68 (the sleeve 12 having noperforations therein, or detaching elements), a portion of the sleevenear the first end 14 and opening 22 extending away from the sleeve 12,the portion forming the skirt 86 when positioned about the pot 30. Thesleeve 12 is positionable about the pot 30 and the sleeve 12 closelysurrounds and encompasses the pot 30 when positioned about the pot 30.It will be understood that either the sleeve 12 and/or the skirt 86 mayhave overlapping folds 77 or gussets (not shown) which permit theformation of the skirt 86. Alternatively, no overlapping folds 77 orgussets may be utilized. In a further alternative, a wider portion ofthe sleeve 12 may be cut from the material 56 forming the sleeve 12,which assists in the formation of the skirt 86. The skirt 86 ispositionable it differing angles, as described previously herein. Itwill be appreciated that the sleeve 12 may be provided with a bondingmaterial 54 disposed thereupon, the pot 30 may be provided with abonding material 54 disposed thereupon, or both the sleeve 12 and thepot 30 may have a bonding material 54 disposed thereupon, as previouslydescribed herein. Further, the skirt 86 may also have a bonding material54 disposed thereupon, on either surface of the skirt 86.

In a method of use, the pot 30 is positioned within the sleeve 12, aspreviously described herein, and the combination of the sleeve 12 andthe skirt forms a decorative plant cover 74. It will be appreciated thatat least a portion of the plant cover 74 substantially surrounds andencompasses the pot 30.

Changes may be made in the construction and the operation of the variouscomponents, elements and assemblies described herein or in the steps orthe sequence of steps of the methods described herein without departingfrom the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the followingclaims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A plant package comprising: a pot having an upperrim, a lower end, an outer peripheral surface, and a specific shape; anda flexible sleeve positioned about the pot and having an upper portionand a lower portion comprising a base portion and a decorative skirtportion with the base portion preformed to fit the specific shape of thepot and the sleeve having perforations which demarcate an upper edge ofthe decorative skirt portion and wherein the upper portion is detachablefrom the lower portion via the perforations and wherein the base portionof the lower portion surrounds the outer peripheral surface of the potand the decorative skirt portion is sized to extend a distance above theupper rim of the pot and wherein at least a portion of the perforationsare positioned near the upper rim of the pot and below a medial line ofthe upper portion.
 2. The plant package of claim 1 wherein the sleeve isfurther defined as having a first end, a second end, an outer peripherywhich forms an outer surface, the sleeve having an opening whichintersects the first end and extends to the bottom forming an innersurface defined by an inner periphery which forms a retaining space. 3.The plant package of claim 1 wherein the perforations in the sleeve inpreselected areas further comprise both vertical perforations andcircumferential perforations.
 4. The plant package of claim 1 whereinthe sleeve is constructed from a material selected from the groupconsisting of paper (untreated or treated in any manner), foil,polymeric film, fabric (woven or nonwoven or synthetic or natural),burlap, cloth, and any combination thereof.
 5. The plant package ofclaim 1 wherein the sleeve further comprises a thickness in a range ofbetween about 0.1 mil and about 30 mils.
 6. The plant package of claim 1wherein the sleeve further comprises a material having two or morelayers.
 7. The plant package of claim 1 wherein the sleeve furthercomprises an extension, the extension having at least one aperture. 8.The plant package of claim 1 wherein the sleeve further comprises atleast one of a ribbon and a bow.